Page 152 of Hidden Echoes

I stand there, speechless, frustration curling in my chest, caught between wanting to call him back and knowing it wouldn’t matter.

Then—

A knock at the door. Sharp. Precise.

I shake off the lingering frustration and yank it open, already rolling my eyes. “You’re back already? I knew you’d realize what a major asshole you were being—”

But it’s not Seth I find.

The smugness dies on my lips the second I see who’s actually standing there.

Carter.

"Expecting someone else?" His voice is smooth, almost entertained.

My fingers twitch at my side, itching to reach for something—anything. My heartbeat drums against my ribs, but I force my face to stay neutral.

"Depends," I say, tilting my head. "Are you here to apologize for being an asshole too?"

His smirk deepens. "Something like that."

Carter is sitting on my couch, his expression a strange mix of turmoil and euphoria. I stare at him, debating whether I should call Zane or Lara—after all, he’s not really my problem to deal with. But I let him in without much of a word, and he looks at me, a little apprehensive.

"I'm so sorry, Mia," he says quietly.

I frown. "Do you really mean that?"

His eyes meet mine, and for the first time, I see it—just how broken Carter is inside.

"I never told Zane how I felt about him," he begins. "He's always been this distant person. I thought if I gave him enough time, he would…"

"See that you were there?"

"Yeah," he exhales.

I watch him, arms crossed, caught between curiosity and wariness. He sinks into my couch like the weight of the world is pressing down on him. There's something about him tonight—exhausted, yes, but also strangely exhilarated, like he's teetering on the edge of something. A breakdown, maybe. I don't know what brought him here, but for the first time, I get the sense that Carter didn't come armed.

"Then you came along, all energy and fire, and just lured him into your web," he continues, not looking at me. His voice doesn't carry the anger it once did—just a deep, lingering weariness.

I don't react right away. I could laugh at the metaphor, but there's something too raw about the confession for that. Has he always seen me this way? As a force that swept in and took what he wanted for himself?

"I never thought of him like that," I say finally. "Not as a prize to be won."

He lets out a humorless laugh. "But he was everything to me. And I hated you for… for being where I could never be."

I tilt my head, studying him. "So what now? Do you still hate me?"

Carter sighs, closing his eyes for a beat before shaking his head. "No." A pause. "I guess I just hated that he chose you without effort. And I spent years trying to be enough."

Something tightens in my chest—not out of guilt, because I never set out to hurt him, but because I understand. I understand what it’s like to love someone who can’t love you back.

"I get it."

Carter stares at me, surprised.

"I understand," I repeat. "I've felt that before. Maybe not with Zane, but… I know what it’s like to feel like no matter what you do, it’ll never be enough."

He looks away. For the first time since he walked in, he looks uncertain.

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